Chelsea are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 22-year-old forward Hugo Ekitike as they bid to make at least one new signing before their Club World Cup campaign in June.

Liverpool have also been linked with the youngster as a potential replacement for Darwin Nunez, and the two Premier League giants could be set to battle it out for Ekitike’s signature.

Ipswich’s Liam Delap and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are also on Chelsea’s striker shortlist, with the Blues now holding an advantage over rivals such as Manchester United by being able to offer Champions League football to those they are targeting.

Talks over targets are set to accelerate now that the domestic season has finished, though while they have qualified for Europe’s elite competition, there remains a desire inside of Chelsea to stand by their approach in buying and then nurturing the best young talent in the world.

Ekitike has scored 22 goals in 45 games for Frankfurt over the last season, though the German club are understood to value him highly, around €100m (£84m).

The France Under 21 international was previously with Paris Saint-Germain, who sold him for close to £14m in 2024.

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Chelsea are interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (pictured)

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It is believed that Chelsea’s priority is to make a signing before the Club World Cup begins

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Liverpool are also eyeing a move for Ekitike as they prepare for Darwin Nunez’s potential exit

Ekitike finished the 2024-25 campaign as Frankfurt’s top scorer in the Bundesliga, tied with Omar Marmoush, who left in January to join Manchester City.

Chelsea will have the opportunity to make signings before the Club World Cup after FIFA introduced a special transfer window, which will be open between June 1 and 10.

Ideally, the Blues would like to conduct business in that period, with Enzo Maresca keen to know the squad he is working with in time for the lead-up to the next season.